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Colonization and growth of cyanobacteria on exposed surfaces of stone-made temples and monuments result in their biodeterioration in form of both aesthetic and structural damage. This study investigates the epilithic cyanobacterial colonization of exteriors of 11 different ancient stone temples, showing varying degree of deterioration, located in Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Cyanobacteria-dominated biofilms/ crusts occurring on the exteriors of the temples were sampled and analyzed. The intensity of cyanobacterial colonization of temples, as assessed by quantifying the chlorophyll a (Chl a) content of biomass of phototrophic biofilms/crusts developed on wall surfaces of temples, ranged from 6.8 µg Chl a cm-2 to 14.5 µg Chl a cm-2. A total of 22 epilithic cyanobacterial species (17 genera) representing unicellular, colonial and filamentous (heterocystous and non-heterocystous) forms were isolated from epilithic biofilms/crusts and identified. The results showed that epilithic cyanobacteria dwelling on investigated temples have ample diversity.Among the recorded taxa, the commonly occurring and widely distributed taxa with percentage occurrence of 50% and above comprised Asterocapsa sp., Gloeocapsaatrata, Gloeocapsa sp., Phormidium sp. and Scytonema ocellatum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]